My Korean Deli By: Ben Ryder Howe
Non-Fiction: memoir 301 pages
Book Count: 75
This is a fish out of water story with an unusual cast of characters. It is the story of a guy whose family is the definition of WASP who ends up opening a deli/convenience store with his wife and immigrant Korean mother-in-law. Also, he lives with his in-laws and their revolving door of family members new to the country who don't knock while his wife wants to start their family. He works days as an editor of a literary magazine with a one of a kind boss. And there are all the problems with starting a new business, especially when the owners all aren't on the same page an what they want to do.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A Book in Review: The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook By:Matt Dunn
Fiction: Chick Lit, 354 pages
Book Count: 74
This book is a Chick Lit book as told by the guy. Edward comes home one day to find his girlfriend Jane gone, along with everything she owned (Which was most everything.) She left a note saying she was going to Tibet for 3 months to sort things out, and that in fact it was him and not her, because he let himself go. Ed spends the next 3 months with the help of his best friend (and womanizing local celebrity) Dan, Wendy (the barmaid of their local), and Sam his new and female personal trainer working on all the areas of his life that he could improve to impress Jane (well most, he draws the line at hiring a prostitute to test his lovemaking skills. [Which was Dan's idea.])
Note: this book was clearly writing in the UK with related spellings, words etc.
Fiction: Chick Lit, 354 pages
Book Count: 74
This book is a Chick Lit book as told by the guy. Edward comes home one day to find his girlfriend Jane gone, along with everything she owned (Which was most everything.) She left a note saying she was going to Tibet for 3 months to sort things out, and that in fact it was him and not her, because he let himself go. Ed spends the next 3 months with the help of his best friend (and womanizing local celebrity) Dan, Wendy (the barmaid of their local), and Sam his new and female personal trainer working on all the areas of his life that he could improve to impress Jane (well most, he draws the line at hiring a prostitute to test his lovemaking skills. [Which was Dan's idea.])
Note: this book was clearly writing in the UK with related spellings, words etc.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A Book in Review: Seven Up
Seven Up By: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: Mystery 337 pages
Book Count: 73
The review of book six in the series can be found here.
In this book Stephanie is trying to bring in an elderly man, who her grandmother dated, for smuggling in cigarettes. As always this is 1000 times harder then it sounds. He may be old, half blind, hard of hearing, need to pee a lot and have other problems that she learns from her grandmother's over sharing, but he has a gun and a Caddie and isn't afraid to use either of them. Also her sister moves back home after her marriage falls apart and decides to become a lesbian. The mob keeps breaking into her home (and do her dishes). And her stoner friends go missing. Not to mention her wedding to Morelli, that she didn't exactly agree to, but that isn't stopping her family from dress shopping and renting halls.
Fiction: Mystery 337 pages
Book Count: 73
The review of book six in the series can be found here.
In this book Stephanie is trying to bring in an elderly man, who her grandmother dated, for smuggling in cigarettes. As always this is 1000 times harder then it sounds. He may be old, half blind, hard of hearing, need to pee a lot and have other problems that she learns from her grandmother's over sharing, but he has a gun and a Caddie and isn't afraid to use either of them. Also her sister moves back home after her marriage falls apart and decides to become a lesbian. The mob keeps breaking into her home (and do her dishes). And her stoner friends go missing. Not to mention her wedding to Morelli, that she didn't exactly agree to, but that isn't stopping her family from dress shopping and renting halls.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Book in Review: Pirattitude! So You Wanna Be a Pirate? Here's How!
Pirattitude! So You Wanna Be a Pirate? Here's How! By: John "Ol' Chumbucket" Baur and Mark " Cap'n Slappy" Summers
Non-fiction: humor, history, talking pirate, 221 pages
Book Count: 72
This is about about being pirate like by the people who started International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is September 19th. It included the story of how they made the holiday, why it is the day it is, definitions to piratey words, info on famous pirates, info on how the be a little bit of a pirate (without all the sea travel and illegal activities), and more. It is done in a very conversational voice and included a foreword by Blackbeard and an intro by Dave Barry. It has all you need to know to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day as well as a bit of things you might like to actually know about real pirates.
Non-fiction: humor, history, talking pirate, 221 pages
Book Count: 72
This is about about being pirate like by the people who started International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is September 19th. It included the story of how they made the holiday, why it is the day it is, definitions to piratey words, info on famous pirates, info on how the be a little bit of a pirate (without all the sea travel and illegal activities), and more. It is done in a very conversational voice and included a foreword by Blackbeard and an intro by Dave Barry. It has all you need to know to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day as well as a bit of things you might like to actually know about real pirates.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 5)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 5) By; Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: Manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 71
In this volume Count D has to deal with a pastry shortage, magic eggs, a health check up, ghost stories, a bird/angel cult (or maybe not), the Bon Holiday (where the dead visit family), and many mysteries.
Non-fiction: Manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 71
In this volume Count D has to deal with a pastry shortage, magic eggs, a health check up, ghost stories, a bird/angel cult (or maybe not), the Bon Holiday (where the dead visit family), and many mysteries.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 4)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 4) By: Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 70
This volume has a Romeo and Juliet story with the Yakuza, ghosts, side shows, and an actor that is too good with their job. We learn more about what Count D does at day instead of working in his shop.
Non-fiction: manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 70
This volume has a Romeo and Juliet story with the Yakuza, ghosts, side shows, and an actor that is too good with their job. We learn more about what Count D does at day instead of working in his shop.
Friday, September 09, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 3)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 3) By: Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: manga, horror 208 Pages
Book Count: 69
This volume deals with the bird flu, a black widow and one that isn't, water and the sphynx cat in Egypt. It also has a number of weird dreams with questions on what was really a dream and what was real.
Non-fiction: manga, horror 208 Pages
Book Count: 69
This volume deals with the bird flu, a black widow and one that isn't, water and the sphynx cat in Egypt. It also has a number of weird dreams with questions on what was really a dream and what was real.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
A Book in Review: Barrel Fever
Barrel Fever By: David Sedaris
Non-fiction: essays, short stories humor 196 pages
Book Count: 68
This book is mostly short, fiction stories with only a few of the humorous essays that David Sedaris is most known for. Each story stands alone and is written from many different points of view; men and women, young and old, gay and straight. The one thing that they by in large have in common is that they would be depressing if told by another writer. The essays are on line with what you would expect from the author. The main one is the story of the year that he worked as a Christmas elf at Macy's.
Non-fiction: essays, short stories humor 196 pages
Book Count: 68
This book is mostly short, fiction stories with only a few of the humorous essays that David Sedaris is most known for. Each story stands alone and is written from many different points of view; men and women, young and old, gay and straight. The one thing that they by in large have in common is that they would be depressing if told by another writer. The essays are on line with what you would expect from the author. The main one is the story of the year that he worked as a Christmas elf at Macy's.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 2)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 2) By: Matsuri Akino
non-fiction: manga, horror, 216 pages
Book Count: 67
In this book Count D and his landlord Woo-Fei still are playing their game of cat and mouse. Also, having read this far in the series unless things change soon, I have to say that horror isn't really the correct genre for this book, no matter what the book says, it is more like "The Twilight Show" with a twist ending at times.
non-fiction: manga, horror, 216 pages
Book Count: 67
In this book Count D and his landlord Woo-Fei still are playing their game of cat and mouse. Also, having read this far in the series unless things change soon, I have to say that horror isn't really the correct genre for this book, no matter what the book says, it is more like "The Twilight Show" with a twist ending at times.
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 1)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 1) By: Matsuri Akino
non-fiction: manga, horror, 192 pages
Book Count: 66
This series is about a pet shop owner in a Chinatown in Tokyo. The pets are mostly magical and mythical beings that are often disguised as normal pets and grant their owners their greatest wish. The owner (Count D) is also not a normal person. Also because the "pets" can change into humans the owner of the property is after the Count thinking that he is selling slaves or prostitutes. This volume includes a twist ending story, a love story, one about gangs and one from the past involving Eva Braun.
non-fiction: manga, horror, 192 pages
Book Count: 66
This series is about a pet shop owner in a Chinatown in Tokyo. The pets are mostly magical and mythical beings that are often disguised as normal pets and grant their owners their greatest wish. The owner (Count D) is also not a normal person. Also because the "pets" can change into humans the owner of the property is after the Count thinking that he is selling slaves or prostitutes. This volume includes a twist ending story, a love story, one about gangs and one from the past involving Eva Braun.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
A Book in Review:there's a (slight) chance i might be going to hell
there's a (slight) chance i might be going to hell a novel of sewer pipes, pageant queens, and big trouble By: Laurie Notaro
fiction: humor, mystery, chick lit 302 pages
Book Count: 65
This is a fish out of water story of a big city gal who moves to a small town where everyone is crazy, most not legally crazy just I'm glad I don't have these people for neighbors level crazy. I don't want to say too much about what happens and ruin the story for anyone. It has some great twists and turn and very memorable characters. It also deals with a mystery in the town that was unsolved for 1/2 a century.
fiction: humor, mystery, chick lit 302 pages
Book Count: 65
This is a fish out of water story of a big city gal who moves to a small town where everyone is crazy, most not legally crazy just I'm glad I don't have these people for neighbors level crazy. I don't want to say too much about what happens and ruin the story for anyone. It has some great twists and turn and very memorable characters. It also deals with a mystery in the town that was unsolved for 1/2 a century.
Monday, September 05, 2011
A Book in Review: 101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History
101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History By Ryan Hackney and Amy Hackney Blackwell with Technical Review by Garland Kimmer, Ph.D.
Non-Fiction: History 236 Pages
Book Count: 64
This is a book all about Ireland. It is divided into areas and then goes in a mostly chronological order for each area. It covers a wide range of information most of it quite well. I would say that I was expecting more detailed knowledge in the area of religion and brewing in this book (given the subject), for example it says that stout is not a lager or an ale; however, it is a type of ale.
Non-Fiction: History 236 Pages
Book Count: 64
This is a book all about Ireland. It is divided into areas and then goes in a mostly chronological order for each area. It covers a wide range of information most of it quite well. I would say that I was expecting more detailed knowledge in the area of religion and brewing in this book (given the subject), for example it says that stout is not a lager or an ale; however, it is a type of ale.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 8)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 8) Allies of the Night By: Darren Shan Art by: Takahiro Arai
Non-Fiction: Manga 188 pages
Book Count: 63
In this volume they travel back to the old hometown of Mr. Crepsley. Some one enrolled Darren into high school and so he goes, where his English teacher turned out to be Debbie his old love. He also runs into his old friend, Steve Leonard, the whole reason he became a vampire. This leads to their 2nd run in with the Vampaneze Lord.
Non-Fiction: Manga 188 pages
Book Count: 63
In this volume they travel back to the old hometown of Mr. Crepsley. Some one enrolled Darren into high school and so he goes, where his English teacher turned out to be Debbie his old love. He also runs into his old friend, Steve Leonard, the whole reason he became a vampire. This leads to their 2nd run in with the Vampaneze Lord.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Book in Review: The New Vampire's Handbook
The New Vampire's Handbook A Guide for the Recently Turned Creature of the Night Edited by: The Vampire Mile Proctor (by: Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, Anita Serwacki, & Scott Sherman)
Non-Fiction: Humor, paranormal 211 pages
Book Count: 62
As you could tell by the title, this is a how to book for new vampires as written by a vampire. It uses mostly traditional ideas about vampires i.e. sun light kills, no reflection, OCD counting, changing into bats, controlling animals etc. But it does put some twists on it as well as writing in a modern humorous style. It includes some interesting pseudoscience reasons for some of the things, like lack of reflections and vampire sexuality. It also deals with issues of being a vampire that at not normally addressed like: how to plan finances, why you should avoid people that are into vampires, how to act the age you look, and the pros and cons of different forms of travel. Over all this book would work well as a handbook for vampires, making it a good read for people who like humor and vampire stories.
Non-Fiction: Humor, paranormal 211 pages
Book Count: 62
As you could tell by the title, this is a how to book for new vampires as written by a vampire. It uses mostly traditional ideas about vampires i.e. sun light kills, no reflection, OCD counting, changing into bats, controlling animals etc. But it does put some twists on it as well as writing in a modern humorous style. It includes some interesting pseudoscience reasons for some of the things, like lack of reflections and vampire sexuality. It also deals with issues of being a vampire that at not normally addressed like: how to plan finances, why you should avoid people that are into vampires, how to act the age you look, and the pros and cons of different forms of travel. Over all this book would work well as a handbook for vampires, making it a good read for people who like humor and vampire stories.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Book in Review: World of Geekcraft
World of Geekcraft by: Susan Beal
Non-fiction: crafts 145 pages
Book Count: 61
This book has instructions for 25 geek craft projects that are at various skill levels and for many different areas of Geekdom. There are templates at the end of the books and withing the sections there are also some ideas for how to change some of the crafts to fit with different areas of geekiness. Some projects are simple enough for a child to do and some require a lot more. The list of materials for each project is most to all easy to find things at a craft store, or around the house.
Non-fiction: crafts 145 pages
Book Count: 61
This book has instructions for 25 geek craft projects that are at various skill levels and for many different areas of Geekdom. There are templates at the end of the books and withing the sections there are also some ideas for how to change some of the crafts to fit with different areas of geekiness. Some projects are simple enough for a child to do and some require a lot more. The list of materials for each project is most to all easy to find things at a craft store, or around the house.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A Book in Review: Retail Hell
Retail Hell By: Freeman Hall
Non-fiction, memoir 258 pages
Book Count: 60
This is the true story of what its like to work at a big department store, anyone that has ever worked retail understands the title, but remember when it happens to someone else its comedy. It deals with pointless store regulations, useless employee moral boosters, co-workers, crazy customers, and all the other hells of stores. Also because, the author got stuck working the handbag (NOT purse) department because he is a "free-spirit" (gay) there is the fun of knowing nothing about what you are selling and having no training before you start as well as the general distrust of the people your commission is from. (Or as its known business as usual.)
Non-fiction, memoir 258 pages
Book Count: 60
This is the true story of what its like to work at a big department store, anyone that has ever worked retail understands the title, but remember when it happens to someone else its comedy. It deals with pointless store regulations, useless employee moral boosters, co-workers, crazy customers, and all the other hells of stores. Also because, the author got stuck working the handbag (NOT purse) department because he is a "free-spirit" (gay) there is the fun of knowing nothing about what you are selling and having no training before you start as well as the general distrust of the people your commission is from. (Or as its known business as usual.)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Book in Review: Daniel X (Vol 1)
Daniel X (Vol 1) By: James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge Art by: Seunghui Kye
Fiction: Graphic novel, sci-fi, 244 pages
Book Count: 59
Daniel is a teenage alien hunter. He's family, who also hunted alien outlaws on Earth, were killed when he was young. Luckily he has the ability to create things and people out of thin air, including his family and a group of friends. He uses these abilities to help him hunt aliens. In this volume he hunts number 6 on his father's list of outlaws (numbered from the most dangerous down) he also learns more about his family and home.
Fiction: Graphic novel, sci-fi, 244 pages
Book Count: 59
Daniel is a teenage alien hunter. He's family, who also hunted alien outlaws on Earth, were killed when he was young. Luckily he has the ability to create things and people out of thin air, including his family and a group of friends. He uses these abilities to help him hunt aliens. In this volume he hunts number 6 on his father's list of outlaws (numbered from the most dangerous down) he also learns more about his family and home.
Monday, August 15, 2011
A Book in Review: regretsy
regretsy Where DIY Meets WTF by: April Winchell
non-fiction: crafts, 143 pages
Book Count: 58
This book of WTF arts and crafts found on the web-site Etsy has it all: ugly jewelry, chicken ponchos, sock monkeys in labor, tampon cozies, serial killer pillowcases, embroidered TP, and much more. Each page includes the information on the actual Etsy page, as well as the regretsy additional thoughts. It also has more info from and about the "artists" featured.
non-fiction: crafts, 143 pages
Book Count: 58
This book of WTF arts and crafts found on the web-site Etsy has it all: ugly jewelry, chicken ponchos, sock monkeys in labor, tampon cozies, serial killer pillowcases, embroidered TP, and much more. Each page includes the information on the actual Etsy page, as well as the regretsy additional thoughts. It also has more info from and about the "artists" featured.
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 7)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 7) Hunters of The Dusk By: Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Aria
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 57
In this book we learn that there are 3 vampire who might be able to stop the Vampaneze Lord and they will have 4 chances to do so. Of course Darren is one of the 3. So he and his friends set out from vampire mountain to hunt the Vampaneze Lord as well as to find Lady Evanna (who you should never call a witch.) She is able to see the furture somewhat as she was made by Mr. Tiny using vampire DNA and as such has some of his abilities as well as maybe being the only one who can have a vampire baby. They also run into the 3rd vampire who can kill the Vampaneze Lord and head back to the Cirque Du Freak. They learn about the changes in their friend's lives and have their first chance to kill the Vampaneze Lord.
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 57
In this book we learn that there are 3 vampire who might be able to stop the Vampaneze Lord and they will have 4 chances to do so. Of course Darren is one of the 3. So he and his friends set out from vampire mountain to hunt the Vampaneze Lord as well as to find Lady Evanna (who you should never call a witch.) She is able to see the furture somewhat as she was made by Mr. Tiny using vampire DNA and as such has some of his abilities as well as maybe being the only one who can have a vampire baby. They also run into the 3rd vampire who can kill the Vampaneze Lord and head back to the Cirque Du Freak. They learn about the changes in their friend's lives and have their first chance to kill the Vampaneze Lord.
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 6)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 6)The Vampire Prince By: Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Arai
fiction: manga, paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 56
Darren washes down the mountain in the river. Almost dead he is saved by the wolves that he befriended earlier. After being nursed back to health he figures out the plot of Kurda and the vampaneze. With more help from the wolves he gets back into the mountain in time to try and stop them if he isn't killed for failing the trials before he can get the princes to hear his story.
fiction: manga, paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 56
Darren washes down the mountain in the river. Almost dead he is saved by the wolves that he befriended earlier. After being nursed back to health he figures out the plot of Kurda and the vampaneze. With more help from the wolves he gets back into the mountain in time to try and stop them if he isn't killed for failing the trials before he can get the princes to hear his story.
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